How to Mash Buttons and Spin a Joystick: Controllers

Since simple arcade games found in gaming arcades, there have been multiple variations in the controls we use to progress through games, progressing to today's modern console controllers and keyboards (for pc games). Controls over a decade ago were often simple, consisting of anywhere from one to four buttons, based on the game, and while this was engaging for some, it eventually led to the development of more complex controllers, as games became more widely available at home. At home, consoles crafted controllers unique to the console brand, resulting in many variations with the goal of becoming increasingly more easy to use and functional.

As an example, an early console such as the Nintendo 64 (1996) had developed its controller with six buttons found on the right side, a joystick, located in the center, a start button directly above that, and a four-directional pad on the left. However, the controller had two main flaws that most didn't come to understand the reasoning behind. One: it had a grip on the right, the left, and the center, and unfortunately for the Nintendo 64, no one had three hands to grab the controller with. Two: there was only one stick to move both the camera and the player-controlled character, leading to problems where the player would have to spin around in many games in a semi-circle in order to look around. Learning from this, however, they created a slimmer, two grip, two stick controller come their next console, the Gamecube (2001).

On the PC, games played through CDs, Steam, or otherwise can often have their controls modified of which keys perform an action, typically by using the options menu. For example, by going to the in-game options menu of Battlefield 4 (2013), a player can find themselves uncomfortable using a certain key to crouch, and can change it to a key in a more comfortable position. Adapting to players' needs, controllers are more customizable to what the player needs them to be, rather than a set list of controls.

More recently, companies have been more invested in motion controllers, and motion control itself. From the PlayStation 3 comes the PlayStation Move (2010), a controller with a motion-capture sensor at the front. This motion capture can also be found in the Xbox 360's (2005) Kinect (2010), which uses the players entire body as the controller for the game. Preluding these controllers, Nintendo came out with the Wii (2006), the controller of which also had a port on the front to send out an infrared beam for motion capture.

While the controllers that are physical obtain more and more inputs for controls and become more customizable, some controllers have lost form altogether, as with the Kinect. While games are likely to continue to improve motion capture (perhaps for compatibility with virtual reality games), they are also finding ways to personalize every players method of play style. In the future, it seems plausible that voice commands, motion, and buttons will find a way to mesh together for newer generation games.